KEY(1) KEY(1)
28 October 1993
NAME
S/key - A proceedure to use one time passwords for accessing computer
systems.
DESCRIPTION
S/key is a proceedure for using one time password to authenticate
access to compter systems. It uses 64 bits of information transformed
by the MD4 algorithm. The user supplies the 64 bits in the form of 6
English words that are generated by a secure computer. Example use of
the S/key program key
Usage example:
>key 99 th91334
Enter password: <your secret password is intered here>
OMEN US HORN OMIT BACK AHOY
>
The programs that are part of the S/Key system are keyinit, key, and
keyinfo. Keyinit is used to get your ID set up, key is used to get the
one time password each time, keyinfo is used to extract information
from the S/Key database.
When you run "keyinit" you inform the system of your secret password.
Running "key" then generates the one-time passwords, and also requires
your secret password. If however, you misspell your password while
running "key", you will get a list of passwords that will not work,
and no indication about the problem.
Password sequence numbers count backward from 99. If you don't know
this, the syntax for "key" will be confusing.
You can enter the passwords using small letters, even though the "key"
program gives them in caps.
Macintosh and a general purpose PC use are available.
SEE ALSO
keyinit(1), key(1), keyinfo(1)
AUTHOR
Phil Karn, Neil M. Haller, John S. Walden, Scott Chasin
- 1 - Formatted: April 26, 2024
